From gangs to the dark web: The changing face of drug use in New Zealand with Chris Wilkins

This episode is an in depth look at our drug landscape with associate professor Chris Wilkins, lead researcher of a ground-breaking survey of 13,000 drug users in Aotearoa. Discover the undercurrents shaping the nation's substance use, from the prevalence of vaping to the rise of methamphetamine in rural regions. Experience the gritty reality as we peer into the urban strongholds of cocaine and the unsettling ease of drug procurement via the darknet and social media—a new frontier for the tech-savvy youth. We look at the medicinal and recreational cannabis markets, probing the efficacy of current laws and contemplating the ramifications of potential legalization. Times have changed, and the uncomfortable truth is that corruption in small communities exists, driven by gang influence. Chris' research and expertise highlights the urgent need for proactive measures, informed dialogue, and a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to recasting the drug narrative in New Zealand.